Propeller strut sealing

[Howard]

Hello,

I noticed a couple of my boats with propeller struts seem to loose the grease after 1 or 2 times running. After you grease the shaft the open hole is still exposed to water and air. It seems like the grease comes out as fast as it goes in sometimes. I'm not sure why the manufacturers don't supply a plug for this. Anyway I found a small screw that would thread into the hole. I then tightened it until I felt it bottom out against the shaft. Then I backed it off about a half turn and sealed it with liquid electrical tape. No more grease comes out that hole Any opinions appreciated. Howard

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[Boaterguy]

so can you unthread the screw to refill?

[Howard]

No problem, You can unscrew and re-grease as many times as you want. The liquid tape just seals it and stops the screw from backing out.

[Boaterguy]

that's awesome!

[lenny]

Hello,

I noticed a couple of my boats with propeller struts seem to loose the grease after 1 or 2 times running. After you grease the shaft the open hole is still exposed to water and air. It seems like the grease comes out as fast as it goes in sometimes. I'm not sure why the manufacturers don't supply a plug for this. Anyway I found a small screw that would thread into the hole. I then tightened it until I felt it bottom out against the shaft. Then I backed it off about a half turn and sealed it with liquid electrical tape. No more grease comes out that hole Any opinions appreciated. Howard

[ATTACH=CONFIG]65823[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]65824[/ATTACH]

Hi,
Do you run with no space at the prop dog and strut or stinger ?

[m4a1usr]

Hello,

I noticed a couple of my boats with propeller struts seem to loose the grease after 1 or 2 times running. After you grease the shaft the open hole is still exposed to water and air. It seems like the grease comes out as fast as it goes in sometimes. I'm not sure why the manufacturers don't supply a plug for this. Anyway I found a small screw that would thread into the hole. I then tightened it until I felt it bottom out against the shaft. Then I backed it off about a half turn and sealed it with liquid electrical tape. No more grease comes out that hole Any opinions appreciated. Howard

[ATTACH=CONFIG]65823[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]65824[/ATTACH]

There are several reasons for that hole you decided to plug up. First one,........as heat or friction occurs the grease is allowed to expand and push out thru the paths of least resistance. Thats normal. Grease (oil suspended in a gelatanous media) is what provides lubrication. Blocking its exit path does not make a better lubrication system. Water and grease will mix. Its an accepted part of driveline operation.
Second one,.....You should be taking your flex assy apart after every run. Then clean and regrease. Not on the second or third. Its part of a maintenance plan you should adhere to and ensure happens every time. Other wise you will break drive lines due to mechanical failures. Lose a couple $30 or $50 props and it will become engrained. Comes with experience.

John

[Howard]

Well I quess everyone has an opinion but I believe your statement is totally inaccurate. First off we are not talking about the flex shaft. I agree the flex shaft should be greased often. I was talking about the strut that holds the drive dog/prop shaft. The hole on the side is for filling. When you close it off as I did the grease will now only escape through the ends. This is where the bushings are, thus it will grease the bushings as it escapes. If it goes out the open hole on the side (as you mentioned) what good is the grease other then a waste.


Howard

[TINY]

Well I quess everyone has an opinion but I believe your statement is totally inaccurate. First off we are not talking about the flex shaft. I agree the flex shaft should be greased often. I was talking about the strut that holds the drive dog/prop shaft. The hole on the side is for filling. When you close it off as I did the grease will now only escape through the ends. This is where the bushings are, thus it will grease the bushings as it escapes. If it goes out the open hole on the side (as you mentioned) what good is the grease other then a waste.


Howard

Totally is a little harsh, when the flex is loaded and binds up it will push any lubricant to its least path of resistance.. as quoted.. Gravity will take care of said grease when not used?? Hence drive shaft??


You always leave a gap for flex, even bigger for gas saw rig's..."some almost 10mm metric"..

Better to be safe than sorry?? How much is grease compaired to driveline components? Kind of speaks for itself..

How long does it take to pull down and re lubricate compaired to re ordering parts and watching others have fun...inmho

[Howard]

Sorry if I was a little harsh, but again this thread I started has Nothing to do with the flex shaft

Please read my first post. Maybe you don't or not familiar with this setup. Not all boats have a propeller strut that holds the dog bone. This is the part after the flex shaft.



Howard

[Howard]

These setups are mostly used in Proboats. As I mentioned most boats don't use a dog bone (as it's called) this is a short shaft that goes inside the strut and is a solid shaft about an inch or so long. It rides on two bushings. Just wanted to clarify what this thread is about.

Howard

[TINY]

[QUOTE=Howard;377909]Sorry if I was a little harsh, but again this thread I started has Nothing to do with the flex shaft

Please read my first post. Maybe you don't or not familiar with this setup. Not all boats have a propeller strut that holds the dog bone. This is the part after the flex shaft.



Very familiar,not many boats have a strut that holds the bone.. And i did read your thread before responding.. No disrespect intended.. Massive rpm, limited room/space, high viscosity... kinda needs room to breath so to speak... Not talking about a ford 9inch are we... All good, do what makes you happy... personally i'd spend the extra 2mins cleaning up and a couple of dollars re lubing just in case .. each to there own cheers

[keithbradley]

You always leave a gap for flex, even bigger for gas saw rig's..."some almost 10mm metric"..

No, you're wrong in this case.
Howard, I think you already know this, but you shouldn't be running a gap between your drivedog and stinger. As long as it's not causing drag or compressing that little washer you are fine. Running a gap will only cause problems with this style setup.

Ideally you could weld that hole shut, finish it smooth, and put a grease fitting on the TOP of the stinger, so it's not in the water causing drag and turbulating water before it hits the prop.

[keithbradley]

BTW- People love to hate on things that get posted in this section so don't be surprised if your ideas get critiqued. You know what works for you and what doesn't and you can take the feedback you get and evaluate what is right/wrong. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[TINY]

Please don't get me wrong but do you realize how much the flex shortens on high load??? A thrust washer will bind and you will blow your esc in seconds.... Unless of course your running small props low pitch on low rpm.. Eg zero or no load... Go see the back of a saw boat.. You'll understand.

[osprey21]

I'm guessing the flex cable on Howards set-up is a square drive and "floats" in the prop shaft requiring 0 gap between the drive dog and the strut itself, No?